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Gov. Patrick signs broadband expansion bill
Boston Globe
August 4, 2008

Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation today, making high-speed Internet available to areas of Massachusetts currently without access.

Within the next three years, the law calls for the expansion of broadband into 32 communities throughout the state.

"Broadband is an essential resource in today's world and economy," Patrick said in a release. "Expanding access to broadband will create substantial opportunities for economic, academic, and cultural growth."

The law, providing $40 million in bonds, establishes the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which will procure federal, and private support to expand access and create a broadband infrastructure for the underserved areas, predominately in western Massachusetts.

The Institute will also assess existing Internet service conditions throughout the commonwealth, especially the 63 towns with only partial service.

In the 95 communities with limited or zero broadband availability, more than 220,000 households and more than 25,000 businesses lack adequate Internet access.
(By Elizabeth Campbell, Globe correspondent)